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During the season change, there is a significant temperature fluctuation, which can easily lead to the occurrence of influenza. After the flu, the most common symptom that people experience is runny nose. It usually starts with a watery nose and gradually turns into yellow nose. What's going on?
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Before understanding this issue, let's first understand the function of nasal mucus
Most nasal mucus is secreted by the nasal mucosa. Under normal circumstances, the nasal mucosa constantly secretes mucus, which can moisten the nasal membrane, moisten the air inhaled into the nasal cavity, and also adhere to dust and microorganisms in the air.
In addition, nasal mucus can prevent dryness of the nasal mucosa and avoid harmful substances that can irritate the respiratory tract. So normal nasal mucus has a certain protective effect on the nasal cavity.
nasal drip
In the early stages of a cold, the virus first enters the human body through the respiratory tract, and its first stop is in the nasal cavity. When the virus is active in the nasal cavity, the body activates a protective mechanism that causes the nasal mucosa to secrete a large amount of mucus in order to expel the pathogen from the body.
At this time, the mucus is usually clear like water and flows out automatically. Mainly because there are fewer viruses and bacteria invading the body at this time, so the symptoms are relatively mild.
When there is a watery nasal discharge, patients usually have mild symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and dry throat. At this time, patients can drink more hot water appropriately, and the symptoms of runny nose can be relieved.
If you want your condition to improve, you can first pay attention to rest, strengthen warmth, and the condition will be appropriately controlled, and the symptoms of runny nose will also improve.
Yellow snot
However, as the condition progresses, the number of viruses and bacteria entering the human body will continue to increase, and there may also be infections. At this point, clear mucus will gradually turn into yellow mucus, which is relatively viscous and difficult to discharge.
After forcibly waking up with mucus, patients will feel severe headaches and a twitching pain from the forehead to the nasal cavity.
At this point, patients may experience severe discomfort symptoms such as fever, joint and muscle pain, chills, coughing, etc. In this case, it is difficult to improve the condition by simply drinking hot water and resting, and patients usually need relevant medication for treatment.
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summary
If accompanied by severe fever and cough, it is necessary to take oral antibiotics and antipyretic drugs under the guidance of a doctor for treatment.
From this, it can be inferred that during a cold, a runny nose is due to the body's defense mechanism. The nasal mucosa self excretes viruses and bacteria, resulting in more watery mucus. The accompanying symptoms are generally mild.
As the condition worsens, clear mucus will turn into yellow mucus, which may indicate the presence of infection and worsening symptoms, rather than a sign of improvement in the cold.
If there is a change from clear nasal mucus to yellow nasal mucus during a cold, accompanied by other discomfort symptoms such as fever and cough, it is necessary to promptly seek medical examination at a regular hospital and follow medical advice according to the severity of the condition.
In daily life, attention should also be paid to drinking more hot water and eating more foods containing vitamin C. These foods can help resist viruses and improve immunity. Attention should also be paid to rest, ensuring sufficient sleep, and keeping warm in order to facilitate the recovery of the condition.